Water and quality control of oil-based wood preservatives

Abstract

A system for treating wood includes a water separation tank in fluid communication with a pressure tank such that a mixture of water and a treatment fluid can flow from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The water separation tank includes a bottom wall having an outlet. The bottom wall is sloped toward the outlet. Water from the mixture of water and a treatment fluid can flow from the water separation tank through the outlet.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 325,838, filed March 31, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 427,131, filed November 22, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Wood and wood-based products used for heavy-duty applications (such as, but not limited to, poles, sleepers, and agricultural supports) typically contain 20-40% moisture before preservative treatment, which can migrate into the treatment solution during treatment and, if not precisely controlled, can cause, among other things, preservative destabilization, excessive corrosion, and oxidation of oils, all of which lead to solids formation (observed as sludge or varnish) in the treatment solution.

[0003] Typically, oil-based wood preservatives, such as creosote, have been used at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius (100°C). At such temperatures, when subjected to a vacuum (i.e., negative pressure), water can boil off during the process and be removed from the system. More recently, Cu-organic type oil-based wood preservative systems, such as Tanasote™ S40, cannot be used at such high temperatures due to chemical instability. Thus, modern Cu-organic type oil-based wood preservative systems require lower application temperatures, and moisture removed from the wood remains in the treatment fluid, which can cause instability in the treatment fluid system.

[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for improved systems and methods to overcome such water management and instability problems to provide acceptable moisture content and prevent destabilization and oxidation effects when used at temperatures below one hundred degrees Celsius (100°C). Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0006] In one embodiment, a system for treating wood includes a pressure tank designed for receiving wood for treatment and a storage tank designed for containing a treatment fluid. The storage tank is in fluid communication with the pressure tank such that the treatment fluid can flow from the storage tank to the pressure tank. The heater is configured to heat the treatment fluid in the pressure tank to a temperature of less than 100 degrees Celsius. The water separation tank is in fluid communication with the pressure tank such that a mixture of water and treatment fluid can flow from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The water separation tank includes a bottom wall, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The bottom wall is inclined toward the first outlet. The second outlet is disposed above the first outlet along a vertical direction. Water from the mixture of water and treatment fluid can flow from the water separation tank through the first outlet. The treatment fluid of the mixture of water and treatment can flow from the water separation tank through the second outlet. The second outlet is in fluid communication with the storage tank such that the treatment fluid can flow from the water separation tank to the storage tank.

[0006]

[0007] In a first exemplary form, the bottom wall may be a cone-shaped bottom wall or a dome-shaped bottom wall, and the first outlet may be located at the lowest point of the bottom wall.

[0008] In a second exemplary embodiment, the system also includes a recovery line and a recovery pump. The recovery line may extend from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The recovery pump may be coupled to the recovery line, and the recovery pump may be operable to cause the mixture of water and process fluid to flow through the recovery line from the pressure tank to the water separation tank.

[0007]

[0009] In a third exemplary embodiment, the system may include a supply line and a supply pump. The supply line may extend between the storage tank and the pressure tank. The supply pump may be coupled to the supply line, and the supply pump may be operable to cause the process fluid to flow through the supply line from the storage tank to the pressure tank.

[0008]

[0010] In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the system also includes a water removal system separate from the water separation tank. The water removal system may be operable to remove water from the process fluid. The water removal system may include one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge.

[0009]

[0011] In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the storage tank may include an agitator operable to agitate the process fluid within the storage tank.

[0012] In a sixth exemplary embodiment, the water separation tank may include a sparge system that passes either air or nitrogen through the fluid in the tank to aid in separating the water and oil.

[0010]

[0013] In a seventh exemplary embodiment, a vacuum may be applied to the separation tank to aid in water removal.

[0014] In an eighth exemplary embodiment, any combination of

[0006] to

[0012] may be employed to aid in the separation of water from the oil-based wood preservative.

[0011]

[0015] In a ninth exemplary embodiment, the volume of the water separation tank may be greater than or equal to 2,000 liters and less than or equal to 20,000 liters, and the volume of the storage tank may be greater than or equal to 25,000 liters and less than or equal to 300,000 liters.

[0012]

[0016] In a tenth exemplary embodiment, the water separation tank may be a vertical water separation tank extending along a vertical direction.

[0017] Each of the ten examples listed above may be combined with one or more of the other exemplary forms listed above in some embodiments. For example, all of the seven examples listed above may be combined with each other in some embodiments. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, five or more of the seven examples listed above may be combined in other embodiments. Thus, the exemplary forms listed above may be combined with each other in some exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, the exemplary forms listed above may be implemented individually in other exemplary embodiments. Thus, it will be understood that various exemplary embodiments can be realized by utilizing the exemplary forms listed above.

[0013]

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for treating wood includes exposing the wood to a treatment fluid in a pressure tank, where the temperature of the treatment fluid is less than 100 degrees Celsius while the wood is exposed to the treatment fluid in the pressure tank; after exposing the wood to the treatment fluid, transferring a mixture of water and treatment fluid from the pressure tank to a water separation tank, where the water separation tank includes a bottom wall that slopes toward an outlet; and transferring water from the mixture of water and treatment fluid from the water separation tank through the outlet.

[0014]

[0019] In an eleventh example, the water separation tank may be a vertical water separation tank extending along a vertical direction. The bottom wall may be a cone-shaped bottom wall or a dome-shaped bottom wall. The outlet may be disposed at a lowest point of the bottom wall.

[0015]

[0020] In a twelfth example, the method also includes removing water from the process fluid using a water removal system separate from the water separation tank. The water removal system may include one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge.

[0016]

[0021] In a thirteenth exemplary embodiment, the method also includes agitating the treatment fluid in the storage tank.

[0022] In a fourteenth exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the treatment fluid may be greater than or equal to 40 degrees Celsius and less than or equal to 95 degrees Celsius while the wood is exposed to the treatment fluid in the pressure tank.

[0017]

[0023] In a fifteenth example, the treatment fluid may include oil and a finely divided copper compound. The finely divided copper compound may have a particle size of 5 nanometers or more and 5000 nanometers or less. The treatment fluid may further include an organic biocide.

[0018]

[0024] In a sixteenth exemplary embodiment, the method also includes separating the water from the treatment fluid in the water separation tank for a period of not less than 10 minutes and not more than 120 minutes after the step of transferring the mixture of water and treatment fluid from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The method may further include removing the wood from the pressure tank while separating the water from the treatment fluid in the water separation tank.

[0019]

[0025] In a seventeenth exemplary embodiment, the mixture of water and process fluid may be transferred from the pressure tank to a water separation tank after the final vacuum cycle of the process cycle.

[0026] In an eighteenth exemplary embodiment, the treatment fluid can be substantially free of creosote.

[0020]

[0027] Each of the eight examples listed above, i.e., the eleventh to eighteenth exemplary forms, may be combined with one or more of the other exemplary forms listed above in some embodiments. For example, all of the eight examples listed above may be combined with each other in some embodiments. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, five, or more of the eight examples listed above may be combined in other embodiments. Thus, the exemplary forms listed above may be utilized in combination with each other in some exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, the exemplary forms listed above may be implemented individually in other exemplary embodiments. Thus, it will be understood that various exemplary embodiments can be realized utilizing the exemplary forms listed above.

[0021]

[0028] In another exemplary embodiment, a system for treating wood includes a pressure tank designed for receiving wood for treatment and a storage tank designed for containing a treatment fluid. The storage tank is in fluid communication with the pressure tank such that the treatment fluid can flow from the storage tank to the pressure tank. A heater is configured to heat the treatment fluid in the pressure tank to a temperature of less than 100 degrees Celsius. A water separation tank is in fluid communication with the pressure tank such that a mixture of water and treatment fluid can flow from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The water separation tank includes a bottom wall having an outlet. The bottom wall is sloped toward the outlet. Water from the mixture of water and treatment fluid can flow from the water separation tank through the outlet.

[0022]

[0029] In a nineteenth exemplary embodiment, the bottom wall may be a cone-shaped bottom wall or a dome-shaped bottom wall, and the outlet may be located at a lowest point of the bottom wall.

[0030] In a twentieth example, the system also includes a recovery line and a recovery pump. The recovery line may extend from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The recovery pump may be coupled to the recovery line, and the recovery pump may be operable to cause the mixture of water and process fluid to flow through the recovery line from the pressure tank to the water separation tank.

[0023]

[0031] In a twenty-first exemplary embodiment, the system may include a supply line and a supply pump. The supply line may extend between the storage tank and the pressure tank. The supply pump may be coupled to the supply line, and the supply pump may be operable to cause the process fluid to flow through the supply line from the storage tank to the pressure tank.

[0024]

[0032] In a twenty-second exemplary embodiment, the system also includes a water removal system separate from the water separation tank. The water removal system may be operable to remove water from the process fluid. The water removal system may include one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge.

[0025]

[0033] In a twenty-third exemplary embodiment, the storage tank may include an agitator operable to agitate the process fluid within the storage tank.

[0034] In a twenty-fourth exemplary embodiment, the volume of the water separation tank may be greater than or equal to 2,000 liters and less than or equal to 20,000 liters, and the volume of the storage tank may be greater than or equal to 25,000 liters and less than or equal to 300,000 liters.

[0026]

[0035] In a twenty-fifth exemplary embodiment, the water separation tank may be a vertical water separation tank extending along a vertical direction.

[0036] Each of the seven examples listed above, i.e., the nineteenth to twenty-fourth exemplary embodiments, may be combined with one or more of the other exemplary embodiments listed above in some embodiments. For example, all of the seven examples listed above may be combined with each other in some embodiments. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, five, or more of the seven examples listed above may be combined in other embodiments. Thus, the exemplary embodiments listed above may be utilized in combination with each other in some exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, the exemplary embodiments listed above may be implemented individually in other exemplary embodiments. Thus, it will be understood that various exemplary embodiments can be realized utilizing the exemplary embodiments listed above.

[0027]

[0037] These and other features, aspects, embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

[0028]

[0038] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in this specification, and makes reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1]

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for treating wood according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. [Diagram 2]

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a water separation tank of the exemplary system of FIG. [Diagram 3]

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the water separation tank of FIG. 2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4]

[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for treating wood according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. [Diagram 5]

[0043] FIG. 5 is a plot of various experimental data. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plot of various experimental data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plot of various experimental data. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plot of various experimental data. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plot of various experimental data. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plot of various experimental data. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plot of various experimental data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030]

[0044] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not as a limitation of the invention. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still further embodiments. It is therefore intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0031]

[0045] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a system for treating wood, the system including a water separation tank in fluid communication with a pressure tank such that a mixture of water and treatment fluid can flow from the pressure tank to the water separation tank. The bottom wall of the water separation tank may be shaped to facilitate removal of water from the water separation tank. For example, the bottom wall may be inclined toward an outlet for water. Furthermore, the bottom wall may be cone-shaped or dome-shaped with an outlet for water located near the lowest point of the cone or dome. Such a shape of the bottom wall may advantageously facilitate removal of water from the water storage tank, for example by funneling water separated from the treatment fluid toward the outlet for water. The water separation tank may also be vertically oriented, for example such that the water separation tank extends along a vertical direction. Such an orientation of the water separation tank may advantageously facilitate removal of water from the water storage tank, for example by concentrating water at the bottom wall in a relatively small area compared to a horizontally oriented tank. Other benefits and features of the system for treating wood and the water separation tank are described below.

[0032]

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 for treating wood according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 may include a storage tank 110, a pressure tank 120, and a heater 130. The storage tank 110 may be designed to contain a treatment fluid therein, such as an oil-based treatment fluid. For example, the storage tank 110 may define an interior volume 112 for containing the treatment fluid. In certain exemplary embodiments, the interior volume 112 of the storage tank 110 may be greater than or equal to twenty-five thousand liters (25,000 L) and less than or equal to three hundred thousand liters (300,000 L). Thus, the storage tank 110 may be sized to contain a large volume of treatment fluid, such as more treatment fluid than is used during each wood treatment operation in the pressure tank 120. It will be appreciated that in certain exemplary embodiments, the storage tank 110 may be designed as multiple tanks plumbed together, e.g., plumbed in series or parallel, and the combined volume of the multiple tanks may correspond to the interior volume 112 of the storage tank 110 described above.

[0033]

[0047] The storage tank 110 may include one or more agitators 114. The agitators 114 may be operable to agitate the process fluid within the storage tank 110. Agitation of the process fluid within the storage tank 110 may advantageously help to keep solids suspended within the process fluid, thereby limiting or preventing the formation of solids ("sludge" or "varnish") within the storage tank 110 or other portions of the system 100. Each agitator 114 may include one or more of a paddle stirrer, a sparger, or a recirculation pump for agitating the process fluid within the storage tank 110.

[0034]

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the storage tank 110 may also be referred to as an operational storage tank. Thus, for example, the storage tank 110 may be designed to contain a working volume of process fluid, including the recirculated post-treatment process fluid in the pressure tank 120. Additionally, the storage tank 110 may be designed to contain a bulk volume of process fluid for circulating through the system 100. The system 100 may also include one or more additional storage tanks (not shown), such as a bulk storage tank that also contains the process fluid therein. The bulk storage tank may be designed for receiving the process fluid from a tanker that delivers the process fluid to a plant having the system 100. The process fluid in the bulk storage tank may be pumped to the storage tank 110 for circulating through other portions of the system 100.

[0035]

[0049] The storage tank 110 may be in fluid communication with the pressure tank 120 such that the process fluid in the storage tank 110 can flow from the storage tank 110 to the pressure tank 120. For example, a supply line 160 may extend between the storage tank 110 and the pressure tank 120 such that the process fluid in the storage tank 110 can flow from the storage tank 110 to the pressure tank 120 through the supply line 160. A supply pump 150 may be coupled to the supply line 160 and may be operable to cause the process fluid in the storage tank 110 to flow from the storage tank 110 to the pressure tank 120 through the supply line 160. For example, the supply pump 150 may be operated to draw process fluid from the storage tank 110 and force the process fluid through the supply line 160 to the pressure tank 120.

[0036]

[0050] The pressure tank 120 may be designed for receiving wood for processing. For example, a quantity of wood, such as utility poles, fence posts, railroad ties, etc., may be loaded into the pressure tank 120 through an opening at an end of the pressure tank 120. A door 124 may be opened to allow access to the interior volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 through the opening, and the door 124 may be closed to seal the interior volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 and allow the interior volume 122 to be pressurized during processing of the wood within the pressure tank 120. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, the pressure tank 120 may be designed for horizontal loading, for example as shown in FIG. 1; however, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the pressure tank 120 may also be designed for vertical loading. The pressure tank 120 may also be referred to herein as an autoclave.

[0037]

[0051] The pressure tank 120 may be designed to contain the treatment fluid from the storage tank 110 in an interior volume 122 that also contains, for example, wood for treatment. In certain exemplary embodiments, the interior volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 may be greater than or equal to forty thousand liters (40,000 L) and less than or equal to three hundred thousand liters (300,000 L). Thus, the pressure tank 120 may be sized to contain a quantity of wood for treatment and to contain pressurized treatment fluid. The wood treated in the pressure tank 120 may be of any suitable species, such as one or more of pine, spruce, cedar, fir, hemlock, oak, maple, cherry, eucalyptus, poplar, beech, and aspen.

[0038]

[0052] The heater 130 may be configured to heat the process fluid within the pressure tank 120. As such, the heater 130 may be operable to increase the temperature of the process fluid relative to the ambient temperature surrounding the system 100. For example, the heater 130 may include one or more of an electrical resistance heating element, a gas burner, an induction heating element, and a heat pump for heating the process fluid within the pressure tank 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 130 may include a pump 132 for circulating the process fluid from the pressure tank 120 during operation of the heater 130. As such, the heater 130 may be located remotely from the pressure tank 120 in certain exemplary embodiments; however, the heater 130 may be configured to directly heat the pressure tank 120 and / or the process fluid within the pressure tank 120 in alternative exemplary embodiments.

[0039]

[0053] The heater 130 may be configured to heat the treatment fluid in the pressure tank 120 to a temperature below one hundred degrees Celsius (100° C.), such as between about forty degrees Celsius (40° C.) and about ninety-five degrees Celsius (95° C.), such as between about fifty degrees Celsius (50° C.) and about seventy-five degrees Celsius (75° C.), such as between about fifty degrees Celsius (55° C.) and about seventy degrees Celsius (70° C.), or any range therebetween, in certain exemplary embodiments. As discussed in more detail below, the treatment fluid may include an oil-based preservative along with one or more biocides. For example, the oil-based preservative may include copper (Cu) and at least one organic co-biocidal agent. Such an oil-based preservative may be a substitute for creosote, for example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the treatment fluid may be substantially free of creosote. Oil-based preservatives may be unstable at high temperatures, for example, above one hundred degrees Celsius (100° C.), and therefore, heater 130 may be configured to heat the treatment fluid to a temperature below one hundred degrees Celsius (100° C.) to advantageously limit or prevent chemical instability of the oil-based preservative.

[0040]

[0054] Heating the treatment fluid to a temperature below one hundred degrees Celsius (100° C.) can increase the stability of the treatment fluid, but can also cause the accumulation of water within the treatment fluid. Additionally, the wood within the interior volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 may repel water when subjected to a vacuum within the pressure tank 120, and the water may migrate into the treatment fluid within the pressure tank 120. For example, the moisture content of the wood in the pressure tank 120 may start out at a moisture content of between twenty percent and forty percent (20%-40%) at the beginning of the treatment operation within the pressure tank 120, and the water from the wood may migrate into the treatment fluid by the end of the treatment operation within the pressure tank 120. For example, the treatment fluid may contain three percent (3%) or more water and seven percent (7%) or less water by weight by the end of the treatment operation within the pressure tank 120. Excessive amounts of water in the process fluid can cause significant problems for system 100, such as instability of oil-based preservatives, corrosion, and oxidation of the oil, all of which can result in the formation of objectionable solids ("sludge" or "varnish") within system 100. Therefore, system 100 also includes features for removing or managing water within system 100.

[0041]

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 100 may include a water separation tank 200. The water separation tank 200 may be in fluid communication with the pressure tank 120. Thus, a mixture of water and process fluid may be able to flow from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200. For example, a return line 162 may extend between the pressure tank 120 and the water separation tank 200, and the mixture of water and process fluid from the pressure tank 120 may flow from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200 through the return line 162. A return pump 152 may be coupled to the return line 162 and may be operable to cause the mixture of water and process fluid in the pressure tank 120 to flow from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200 through the return line 162. For example, the return pump 152 may be operated to draw the mixture of water and process fluid from the pressure tank 120 and force the mixture of water and process fluid through the return line 162 to the water separation tank 200. The water separation tank 200 may be separate from the pressure tank 120. Thus, recovered water and treatment fluids may be transferred from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200 after treatment of the wood in the pressure tank.

[0042]

[0056] The water separation tank 200 may be configured to separate water from the treatment fluid in the internal volume 201 of the water separation tank 200. For example, the water may be separated from the treatment fluid (e.g., oil-based preservative) in the water separation tank 200 by gravity due to the density difference between the water and the treatment fluid. Furthermore, the water may accumulate in a bottom portion of the internal volume 201 of the water separation tank 200, and the treatment fluid may accumulate above the water in the internal volume 201 of the water separation tank 200. Thus, the water may be efficiently separated from the treatment fluid in the water separation tank 200. In certain exemplary embodiments, the internal volume 201 of the water separation tank 200 may be greater than or equal to two thousand liters (2,000 L) and less than or equal to two hundred thousand liters (20,000 L). Thus, the water separation tank 200 may be sized to contain the volume of treatment fluid used in the pressure tank 120 for treating wood during each operation cycle.

[0043]

[0057] The water separation tank 200 may include a first outlet 204 and a second outlet 206. After the step of separating the water from the process fluid in the water separation tank 200, the water in the water separation tank 200 may exit the water separation tank 200 via the first outlet 204, and the process fluid in the water separation tank 200 may exit the water separation tank 200 via the second outlet 206. In certain exemplary embodiments, the water separation tank 200 may include only the outlet 204, and both the flow of water and the flow of process fluid may exit the water separation tank 200 via the outlet 204. For example, the flow of water may first exit the water separation tank 200 via the outlet 204, followed by the flow of process fluid exiting the water separation tank 200 via the outlet 204. In such exemplary embodiments, valves or other suitable mechanisms may be utilized to direct the separate flows of water and process fluid within the system 100.

[0044]

[0058] The first outlet 204 may be in fluid communication with the drain 140. Thus, water from the water separation tank 200 may exit the water separation tank 200 at the first outlet 204 and flow to the drain 140, where the water may exit the system 100. As an example, the drain line 164 may extend between the first outlet 204 of the water separation tank 200 and the drain 104, and the water from the water separation tank 200 may flow through the drain line 164 from the water separation tank 200 to the drain 140. The drain pump 154 ​​may be coupled to the drain line 164 and may be operable to cause the water in the water separation tank 200 to flow through the drain line 164 to the drain 140. For example, the drain pump 154 ​​may be operated to draw the water in the water separation tank 200 through the first outlet 204 and force the water through the drain line 164 to the drain 140. The drain 140 may be connected to a wastewater collection container or other suitable collection device for the water exiting the system 100 .

[0045]

[0059] The second outlet 206 may be in fluid communication with the storage tank 110. Thus, the treatment fluid from the storage tank 110 may exit the water separation tank 200 at the second outlet 206 and flow to the storage tank 110, where the treatment fluid from the water separation tank 200 may be collected in the treatment fluid in the storage tank 110 for later use in treating the wood in the pressure tank 120. As an example, the intake line 166 may extend from the second outlet 206 of the water separation tank 200 to the storage tank 110, and the treatment fluid from the water separation tank 200 may flow from the water separation tank 200 to the storage tank 110 via the intake line 166. The intake pump 156 may be coupled to the intake line 166 and may be operable to flow the treatment fluid in the water separation tank 200 to the storage tank 110 via the intake line 166. For example, the intake pump 156 may be operated to withdraw process fluid in the water separation tank 200 via the second outlet 206 and force the process fluid through the intake line 166 to the storage tank 110 .

[0046]

[0060] The system 100 also includes a water removal system 170 operable to remove water from the process fluid in the system 100. The water removal system 170 may be separate from the water separation tank 200. Thus, for example, the water removal system 170 may be operated in combination with the water separation tank 200 to remove water from the process fluid in the system 100. For example, the water removal system 170 may be supplemented with the water separation tank 200 for removal of water from the process fluid in the system 100. The water removal system 170 may include one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge, each of which may be configured to remove water from the process fluid. In certain exemplary embodiments, the water removal system 170 may include two or more absorbers, vacuum condensers, and centrifuges, which may be connected and operable in parallel to remove water from the process fluid in the system 100, for example. In addition, system 100 may include one or more additional known mechanisms for water / oil gravity separation, heat distillation, vacuum distillation, and / or air sparging to aid in the removal of water from the process fluid in system 100.

[0047]

[0061] System 100 also includes a sparging system connected to water separation tank 170. For example, water separation tank 170 may include a sparging system designed to pass air and / or nitrogen through the fluid in the tank to aid in the separation of water and oil. For example, air sparging can increase the rate of water removal compared to a system without air sparging.

[0048]

[0062] 1, the water removal system 170 is connected to the storage tank 110 and is operable to remove water from the process fluid in the storage tank 110. As an example, a recirculation line 168 may extend between the storage tank 110 and the water removal system 170, and the process fluid from the storage tank 110 may flow from the storage tank 110 to the water removal system 170 through the recirculation line 168. The recirculation line 168 may also extend from the water removal system 170 back to the storage tank 110, and the process fluid from the water removal system 170 (e.g., containing less water therein) may flow from the water removal system 170 back to the storage tank 110 through the recirculation line 168. The recirculation pump 158 may be coupled to the recirculation line 168 and may be operable to flow the process fluid through the water removal system 170 via the recirculation line 168. For example, the recirculation pump 158 may be operated to draw process fluid from the storage tank 110 to the water removal system 170 and then push the process fluid (e.g., containing less water) from the water removal system 170 back to the storage tank 110 through the recirculation line 168. The water from the water removal system 170 may flow to the drain 140 for removal from the system 100, as described above.

[0049]

[0063] It will be understood that the above-described arrangement of the water removal system 170 within the system 100 is provided by way of example only. In other exemplary embodiments, the water removal system 170 may be installed in series with the water separation tank 200, for example, in series between the water separation tank 200 and the storage tank 110 in the intake line 166. In other exemplary embodiments, the water removal system 170 may be installed in parallel with the water separation tank 200. In other exemplary embodiments, the water removal system 170 may be installed separately, in series, or in parallel with the storage tank 110, the pressure tank 120, a bulk storage tank, a pump complex, or other tank used for storage or operation of the system 100, either during operation or offline during storage. Other arrangements of the water removal system 170 within the system 100 are also within the scope of the present subject matter.

[0050]

[0064] System 100 may also include a filter (not shown) configured to remove fine solids, e.g., solids between one-tenth of a micrometer (0.1 μm) and one-hundred micrometers (100 μm), to further help limit or prevent the formation of solids ("sludge" or "varnish") in storage tank 110 or other portions of system 100. System 100 may further include various conventional components that are not illustrated or described in detail herein for the sake of brevity. For example, system 100 may include a compressed air supply system, a water vapor supply system, a condensate removal system, a cooling system, etc.

[0051]

[0065] The water separation tank 200 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the water separation tank 200 may include a bottom wall 210 and a side wall 220. The bottom wall 210 may extend between a top portion 212 and a bottom portion, e.g., along a vertical direction V. The top portion 212 of the bottom wall 210 may be disposed above the bottom portion 214 of the bottom wall 210 along the vertical direction V. The side wall 220 may also extend between a top portion 222 and a bottom portion 224, e.g., along a vertical direction V. The top portion 222 of the side wall 220 may be disposed above the bottom portion 224 of the side wall 220 along the vertical direction V. The bottom wall 210 may be connected to the side wall 220. Additionally, the top portion 212 of the bottom wall 210 may be connected to the bottom portion 224 of the side wall 220.

[0052]

[0066] The water separation tank 200 may be a vertical water separation tank, e.g., extending along a vertical direction V. For example, the sidewall 220 may extend along the vertical direction V. Thus, for example, the length of the sidewall 220 along the vertical direction V between the top and bottom portions 222, 224 of the sidewall 220 may be two times (2×) or more greater than the width of the sidewall 220 perpendicular to the length of the sidewall 220, e.g., three times (3×) or more greater.

[0053]

[0067] The bottom wall 210 may be shaped such that the bottom wall 210 slopes toward the first outlet 204. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 210 may have a cone-shaped shape, such that the bottom wall 210 has a circular cross-sectional area that decreases uniformly between the top and bottom portions 212, 214 of the bottom wall 210. The first outlet 204 may be located at the lowest or lowest point of the cone of the bottom wall 210. In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bottom wall 210 may have a dome-shaped shape, such that the bottom wall 210 has a circular cross-sectional area that decreases uniformly between the top and bottom portions 212, 214 of the bottom wall 210. The first outlet 204 may be located at the lowest or lowest point of the dome of the bottom wall 210. Such a shape of the bottom wall 210 is provided by way of example only. Other shapes for the bottom wall 210 sloping toward the first outlet 204 are within the scope of the present application.

[0054]

[0068] The bottom wall 210 may be shaped to facilitate removal of water from the water separation tank 200 by sloping toward the first outlet 204. As described above, water may be separated from the treatment fluid (e.g., oil-based preservative) in the water separation tank 200 by gravity due to the difference in density between the water and the treatment fluid. Additionally, water may accumulate on the bottom wall 210 and the treatment fluid may accumulate above the water in the interior volume 201 of the water separation tank 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the level LW of the water in the water separation tank 200 is below the level of the treatment fluid LF in the interior volume 201 of the water separation tank 200. The bottom wall 210 may be sloping toward the first outlet 204 to funnel the water in the water separation tank 200 toward the first outlet 204. Additionally, as the volume of water in the water separation tank 200 decreases, the shape of the bottom wall 210 may cause the water remaining in the water separation tank 200 to flow toward the first outlet 204. In contrast, flat-bottom walls cause the water to be distributed over a larger area, making complete removal of the water more difficult.

[0055]

[0069] The second outlet 206 may be located above the first outlet 204 along the vertical direction V. For example, the second outlet 206 may be located in the sidewall 220, such as at or near a bottom portion 224 of the sidewall 220. The second outlet 206 may be located above the level LW of the water in the water separation tank 200, such as above the expected level of water in the water separation tank 200, such that the process fluid can be removed from the water separation tank 200 before the water.

[0056]

[0070] Returning to FIG. 1, as discussed above, the system 100 may be designed for use with an oil-based preservative that includes one or more biocides. For example, the oil-based preservative may include copper (Cu) and at least one co-biocide. Such an oil-based preservative may be a substitute for creosote in certain exemplary embodiments, e.g., the treatment fluid may be substantially free of creosote. In one exemplary embodiment, copper may be present in the oil-based preservative from about 0.1% by weight of the oil-based preservative to about 20% by weight of the oil-based preservative, e.g., from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, e.g., from about 3% to about 7% by weight, or any range therebetween. Copper may include finely divided copper compounds of 5 nanometers (5 nm) or greater and 5,000 nanometers (5000 nm) or less. The at least one co-biocide may be an organic co-biocide, such as one or more of an isothiazolinone, a pyrethroid, a neonicotinoid, a halogenated carbamate, a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), and an azole.

[0057]

[0071] The one or more co-biocides may have an average particle size of from about 0.01 μm to about 25 μm, such as from about 0.1 μm to about 10 μm, such as from about 0.3 μm to about 8 μm, or any range therebetween. The at least one organic co-biocide may be present at about 0.1% or more by weight of the oil-based preservative and at about 25% or less by weight of the oil-based preservative, such as from about 1% to about 20% by weight, such as from about 3% to about 15% by weight, such as from about 5% to about 10% by weight, or any range therebetween.

[0058]

[0072] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the ratio of Cu (wt%) to co-biocide (wt%) in the oil-based preservative may be from about 100:1 to about 1:100, such as from about 50:1 to about 1:1, such as from about 20:1 to about 1:1, or any range therebetween.

[0059]

[0073] In certain exemplary embodiments, the oil-based preservative may comprise a dissolved copper compound, for example, a dissolved copper compound containing elemental copper in an amount of 0.5% to 10% w / w. In another exemplary embodiment, the oil-based preservative may comprise a micronized copper compound, for example, a micronized copper compound containing elemental copper in an amount of 0.5% to 10% w / w, where the micronized copper compound has a particle size of 5 nanometers (5 nm) to 5000 nanometers (5000 nm). In another exemplary embodiment, the particle size of the micronized copper compound varies from 50 nanometers (50 nm) to less than 50 nanometers (50 nm) after storage at 24 degrees Celsius (24° C.) for 1 week to 6 months.

[0060]

[0074] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the oil preservative may further comprise one or more of boron-based preservatives, such as boric acid, sodium salt of boric acid, triazole compounds, pentachlorophenol, sodium fluoride, and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs).The triazoles of the oil preservative according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention include, but are not limited to, epoxiconazole, triadimenol, propiconazole, prothioconazole, metconazole, sibroconazole, tebuconazole, flusilazole, paclobutrazol, fluconazole, isavuconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, pramiconazole, ravuconazole, posaconazole, mefentrifluconazole, fenbuconazole, and fuberidazole. SDHIs of the oil-based preservative according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention include, but are not limited to, flutolanil, isofetamide, fluopyram, fluxapyroxad, penthiopyrad, boscalid, fenfuram, carboxin, thifluzamide, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, and sedaxane. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises treating wood or wood products by contacting the wood or wood products with an oil-based preservative as described above. The treated wood or wood products, in this exemplary embodiment, contain copper at a concentration of about 0.5 kg / m. 3 ~4kg / m 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the treated wood or wood product may have a copper to co-biocide ratio of about 10:1 to 200:1.

[0061]

[0075] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the oil-based preservative may further comprise one or more quaternary ammonium salts, such as didecyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium carbonate, dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, and didecylmethylpoly(oxyethyl)ammonium propionate. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises treating wood or wood products by contacting the wood or wood products with an oil-based preservative, as described above. The treated wood or wood products, in this exemplary embodiment, contain copper at a concentration of about 0.5 kg / m. 3 ~4kg / m 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the treated wood or wood product has a ratio of copper to quaternary ammonium salt of about 1:1 to 20:1.

[0062]

[0076] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the oil-based preservative may further comprise one or more of methyltetraprole, dithianon, dimethomorph, fenpropimorph, metiram, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, meptyldinocap, mepanipyrum, fluoroimide, fenamidone, quinoxyfen, fluoxastrobin, rhamnolipid, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, and cyazofamid. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises treating wood or wood products by contacting the wood or wood products with an oil-based preservative as described above. The treated wood or wood products, in this exemplary embodiment, contain copper at a concentration of about 0.5 kg / m. 3 ~4kg / m 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the treated wood or wood product may have a ratio of copper to co-biocide of about 10:1 to 200:1 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0063]

[0077] In certain exemplary embodiments, the oily preservative may be metal-free or substantially metal-free, and may comprise solubilized or encapsulated 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT).In another preferred exemplary embodiment of the metal-free oily preservative, the oily preservative may further comprise one or more of boron-based preservatives, such as boric acid, the sodium salt of boric acid, triazole compounds, pentachlorophenol, sodium fluoride, and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs). The triazole of the oil preservative according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, epoxiconazole, triadimenol, propiconazole, prothioconazole, metconazole, sibroconazole, tebuconazole, flusilazole, paclobutrazol, fluconazole, isavuconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, pramiconazole, ravuconazole, posaconazole, mefentrifluconazole, fenbuconazole, and fuberidazole.The SDHI of the oil preservative according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, flutolanil, isofetamide, fluopyram, fluxapyroxad, penthiopyrad, boscalid, fenfuram, carboxin, thifluzamide, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, and sedaxane. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the exemplary aspects of the invention include treating wood or a wood product by contacting the wood or wood product with an oil-based preservative, as described above. The treated wood or wood product, in this exemplary embodiment, contains a DCOIT of about 0.5 kg / m 3 ~4kg / m 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the treated wood or wood product may have a ratio of DCOIT to co-biocide of about 10:1 to 200:1 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0064]

[0078] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the oil-based preservative may further comprise one or more quaternary ammonium salts, such as didecyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium carbonate, and didecylmethylpoly(oxyethyl)ammonium propionate. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the exemplary aspects of the invention may include treating the wood or wood product by contacting the wood or wood product with an oil-based preservative, as described above. The treated wood or wood product may, in this exemplary embodiment, be treated with DCOIT at a concentration of about 0.5 kg / m. 3 ~4kg / m 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the treated wood or wood product may have a ratio of DCOIT to quaternary ammonium salt of about 1:1 to 20:1 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0065]

[0079] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the oil-based preservative may further comprise one or more of methyltetraprole, dithianon, dimethomorph, fenpropimorph, metiram, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, meptyldinocap, mepanipyrum, fluoroimide, fenamidone, quinoxyfen, fluoxastrobin, rhamnolipid, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, and cyazofamid. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises treating wood or wood products by contacting the wood or wood products with the oil-based preservatives described above. The treated wood or wood products, in this exemplary embodiment, contain DCOIT at a concentration of about 0.5 kg / m. 3 ~4kg / m 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the treated wood or wood product may have a ratio of DCOIT to quaternary ammonium salt of about 10:1 to 200:1.

[0066]

[0080] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the carrier oil used for the oil-based preservative may be a base mineral oil (e.g., but not limited to, synthetically modified oils derived from API petroleum oils, such as PAO, alkylated naphthalene, naphthenic oils, and esters, included in API Groups 1-5). In other exemplary embodiments, the carrier oil used for the oil-based preservative may be a tall oil derivative (e.g., but not limited to, sylphat), a vegetable oil derivative (e.g., but not limited to, linseed oil). In certain exemplary embodiments, the carrier oil for the oil-based preservative may be a combination of two or more of mineral oil, tall oil, vegetable oil, and synthetic oil.

[0067]

[0081] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the carrier oil used for the oil-based preservative may contain an antioxidant. In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier oil used for the oil-based preservative may contain an alkylated naphthenic compound, and such additives may be used at a level of about 0.1% to 5% w / w in the oil.

[0068]

[0082] 4, a method 400 for treating wood in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter will be described. Method 400 may be used within system 100. Accordingly, method 400 will be described in more detail below in connection with system 100. However, it will be appreciated that method 400 may be used in other suitable systems in alternative exemplary embodiments.

[0069]

[0083] At 410, the method 400 includes exposing the wood to a treatment fluid in the pressure tank 120. For example, the internal volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 may be pressurized with the wood product and a treatment fluid, e.g., pressurized with an oil-based preservative, to impregnate the wood product with the treatment fluid. By impregnating the wood product in the pressurized internal volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 containing the treatment fluid, e.g., with an oil-based preservative, the treatment fluid is homogeneously impregnated on the surface of the wood product, rather than merely being applied on the surface or only partially or non-homogeneously penetrating the wood product. At 410, the pressure applied to the internal volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 to impregnate the wood product with the treatment fluid may be from about 1 bar to about 10 bar, e.g., about 2 bar, about 3 bar, about 4 bar, about 5 bar, about 6 bar, about 7 bar, about 8 bar, or about 9 bar. It is understood that the exact pressure value may depend on the size of the wood product and can be easily adapted by a person skilled in the art.

[0070]

[0084] In certain exemplary embodiments, at 410, the internal volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 may be pressurized for about 30 minutes or more, such as about 60 minutes or more, such as about 120 minutes or more, such as about 180 minutes or more, such as about 240 minutes or more, to impregnate the wood product with the treatment fluid. In certain exemplary embodiments, the internal volume 122 of the pressure tank 120 may be pressurized for 300 minutes or less, such as about 200 minutes or less, such as about 150 minutes or less, such as about 100 minutes or less, such as about 60 minutes or less, to impregnate the wood product with the treatment fluid.

[0071]

[0085] In certain exemplary embodiments, at 410, the temperature of the oil-based preservative when the wood product is impregnated with the treatment fluid may be below ninety degrees Celsius (90°C), such as below eighty-five degrees Celsius (85°C), for example below eighty degrees Celsius (80°C), such as below seventy-five degrees Celsius (75°C), for example below seventy degrees Celsius (70°C), such as below sixty-five degrees Celsius (65°C), for example below sixty degrees Celsius (60°C), such as below fifty-five degrees Celsius (55°C), for example below fifty degrees Celsius (50°C), for example below forty-five degrees Celsius (45°C). In certain exemplary embodiments, at 410, the temperature of the treatment fluid when the wood product is impregnated with the treatment fluid may be greater than forty degrees Celsius (40° C.), such as greater than fifty degrees Celsius (50° C.), such as greater than sixty degrees Celsius (60° C.), such as greater than seventy degrees Celsius (70° C.), such as greater than eighty degrees Celsius (80° C.).

[0072]

[0086] At 420, after exposing the wood to the treatment fluid at 410, the mixture of water and treatment fluid can be transferred from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200. The mixture of water and treatment fluid can contain three percent (3%) or more and seven percent (7%) or less water based on the weight of the mixture of water and treatment fluid after transferring from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the mixture of water and treatment fluid can be transferred from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200 after the last vacuum cycle at 410. In the water separation tank 200, the water can be separated from the treatment fluid (e.g., oil-based preservative) by gravity due to the difference in density between the water and the treatment fluid. Furthermore, the water can be separated from the treatment fluid in the water separation tank 200 in 10 minutes or more and 120 minutes or less after transferring the mixture of water and treatment fluid from the pressure tank 120 to the water separation tank 200 at 420. The treated wood products may be removed from the pressure tank 120 while the water is being separated from the treatment fluid in the water separation tank 200. Thus, operation of the water separation tank 200 may advantageously be uninterrupted with the withdrawal and / or recharge of the pressure tank 120.

[0073]

[0087] At 430, water may be removed from the water separation tank 200 via the first outlet 204. For example, at 430, the drain pump 154 ​​may be activated to draw water in the water separation tank 200 via the first outlet 204 and force the water through the drain line 164 to the drain 140. The method 400 also includes removing water from the process fluid using the water removal system 170. The method 400 may further include agitating the process fluid in the storage tank 110.

[0074]

[0088] Advantageously, the methods disclosed herein can provide treatment fluids having acceptable moisture content, e.g., between one hundredth percent and one tenth percent (0.01 to 0.1%) water based on the weight of the treatment fluid, which can advantageously limit or prevent destabilizing and oxidative effects during operation of the system 100.

[0075]

[0089] The foregoing description is exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope, applicability, or arrangement of the present disclosure. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0076]

[0090] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0091] As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term "including" means "including." The methods and compositions of the present disclosure may include, consist of, or consist essentially of any additional or optional ingredients, components, or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in biocidal compositions, in addition to the essential elements and limitations of the embodiments described herein, including their components.

[0077]

[0092] Unless otherwise specified, all numbers expressing properties such as amounts, molecular weights, percentages, etc. of ingredients shall be understood to be modified by the term "about" when used in the specification or claims. Thus, unless otherwise specified, implicitly or explicitly, the numerical parameters described are approximations that may depend on the desired properties sought and / or the detection limits under standard test conditions / methods. When directly and explicitly distinguishing the embodiments from the prior art discussed, the numbers of the embodiments are not approximations unless the word "about" is described.

[0078]

[0093] "Any" or "optionally," as used herein, means that the subsequently described material, event, or circumstance may be present or occur, or may be absent or not occur, and that the description includes instances in which the material, event, or circumstance is present or occurs as well as instances in which it is absent or does not occur. "w / w%" and "wt%," as used herein, mean percentage by weight relative to another component or total weight in a composition.

[0079]

[0094] The term "about" is intended to mean approximately, in the region of, approximately, or in the vicinity of. When the term "about" is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the stated numerical values. Unless otherwise specified, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and appended claims should be understood to be approximations. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, the numerical parameters should be read in light of the number of reported significant digits and the application of ordinary rounding techniques.

[0080]

[0095] The term "substantially free", when used to describe the amount of a substance in a material, is not limited to total or complete absence, and may correspond to the absence of any obvious or detectable amount of the recited substance in the material. Thus, for example, a material is said to be "substantially free" of a substance if the amount of the substance in the material is less than the precision of the industry-accepted equipment or test for measuring the amount of the substance in the material. In certain exemplary embodiments, a material can be "substantially free" of a substance if the amount of the substance in the material is less than 10%, less than 9%, less than 8%, less than 7%, less than 6%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, or less than 0.1% based on the weight of the material.

[0081]

[0096] The terms "first," "second," and "third," as used herein, may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to imply any placement or importance of the individual components.

[0082]

[0097] Herein, and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or substituted, and such ranges are specified and include all subranges contained therein unless the context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the limits, and the limits are independently combinable with each other.

[0083]

[0098] The term "D50" or "D50 particle size", as used herein, refers to the volume median particle size, where 50% of the particles in a sample volume have a size below that range or value.

[0084]

[0099] Similarly, the term "D95" or "D95 particle size" as used herein refers to the value where 95% of the particles in a sample volume have a size below that range or value.

[0085]

[0100] As used herein, the term "particle size" refers to the median particle size D50 unless otherwise specified. Particle size can be measured using a laser scattering particle size analyzer, such as a HORIBA LA910 particle sizer.

[0086]

[0101] The terms "median particle size" and "average particle size" and D50 are used interchangeably herein.

[0102] This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any device or system, and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include elements that are no different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

[0087]

[0103] Moreover, certain aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood from the following examples, which are intended to be non-limiting and exemplary in nature, and it will be understood that the compositions described in the examples may be substantially free of any material not expressly described. EXAMPLES

[0088] Example 1

[0104] Dilutions of treatment fluid in oil were tested to study the effect on emulsification of oil in water. In Example 1, a treatment fluid, namely Tanasote™ S40 (available from Arxada), was utilized. Using the emulsification test described in test method A35-12 from the American Wood Preservation Association, each solution was compared for its ability to form stable emulsions for each of the five samples. Emulsion tests were performed in triplicate. Emulsion tests were performed using deionized water and water containing sap (e.g., water containing sap extracted from Pinus Sylvestris). Separation intervals were recorded periodically and photographs were taken for visual evaluation of the clarity of the emulsion layer and solution separation. After 24 hours, a sample of the oil layer was taken to determine the water content.

[0089] Deionized water sample

[0105] The individual and average separation times for each set of triplicate solutions can be seen in Figure 10. All diluted samples showed very clear separation between the oil and aqueous phases. After 24 hours, samples of the oil phase were taken and analyzed for water content using Parker's Kittiwake water-in-oil test kit.

[0090] [Table 1]

[0091]

[0106] The water content of the treated fluid prior to any dilution or emulsion testing was 0.02%. Analysis of all samples showed water contents down to 0.12% or less, indicating that the majority of the water had separated cleanly and was not absorbed into the oil phase.

[0092]

[0107] A visual comparison of samples from various time points during the separation shows that after 5 minutes, all solutions had large amounts of oil droplets in the aqueous phase, but by 60 minutes, the amount of oil droplets had significantly decreased. The Tanasote™ S40 treated fluid had many more oil droplets in the aqueous phase after 24 hours compared to all other diluted samples.

[0093] Sap water sample

[0108] The individual and average separation times for each set of triplicate solutions can be seen in Figure 11. The Tanasote™ S40 solutions had faster or similar separation times compared to the treatment fluids diluted with the various Nytex solutions. After 24 hours, samples of the oil phase were taken and analyzed for water content using Parker's Kittiwake Water-in-Oil Test Kit.

[0094] [Table 2]

[0095]

[0109] Analysis of all Tanasote™ S40 samples showed a water content of 0.12% or less, with no significant amount of water retained in the oil phase.

[0110] A visual comparison of samples from various time points during the separation shows that after 5 minutes, even after 24 hours, all solutions had a larger amount of oil droplets in the aqueous phase compared to the deionized water sample.

[0096]

[0111] Visual evaluation at various time points during the emulsion testing using deionized water showed that all solutions had a relatively clean separation. Visual evaluation of the samples using sap-containing water showed separation of the oil and aqueous phases. Analysis of the oil phase of each sample solution showed that none of the solutions contained more than 0.12% water.

[0097] Example 2

[0112] In a fifty liter (50 L) tank environment, representative of one or more of the storage tank 110, pressure tank 120, and water separation tank 200 in system 200 (preferably water separation tank 200), various mechanisms for water removal of the oil-based preservative, such as water / oil gravity separation, heat distillation, vacuum distillation, and air sparging, were investigated to establish the rate of water removal for each. Identified amounts of water were placed into the oil-based preservative, i.e., Tanasote™ S40 with copper and an innovative co-biocide, and the rate of water removal was monitored. Various parameters such as the volume of oil-based preservative used, temperature, and method of water removal were evaluated.

[0098]

[0113] Initially, a specified amount of water was placed into the oil-based preservative while it was heated to a constant temperature during the reaction. The water was dispersed in the oil-based preservative by stirring for 10 minutes prior to testing. The first (T0) sample was taken to confirm the water content and its complete dispersion. The progress of water removal was determined by measuring the water content using Parker's Kittiwake Water-in-Oil Test Kit every 1-2 hours until either all the water had been removed or for a maximum of 6 hours. A summary of the first eight water removal tests conducted to determine the maximum and minimum water removal rates is as follows:

[0099] [Table 3]

[0100]

[0114] A significant amount of condensation was observed on the vessel lid during the first few reactions, therefore subsequent reactions were run with and without a lid to compare rates.

[0115] The volume of the oil-based preservative was then held constant at 20 liters and the initial water content was maintained at two and a half percent (2.5%). The interval between water measurements was held constant at 2 hours. Fresh and used oil-based preservatives were also evaluated. A summary of the water removal tests conducted to determine the next 16 water removal rates is as follows:

[0101] [Table 4]

[0102]

[0116] As shown in the plot of Figure 5, air sparging significantly increased the rate of water removal compared to tests without air sparging. As shown in the plot of Figure 6, temperature also affected the rate of water removal, with higher temperatures increasing the rate of water removal. 50°C is shown as the orange line and 70°C is shown as the green line. As shown in the plot of Figure 7, fresh and used oil preservatives did not show significant differences in the rate of water removal under the same conditions. Used oil preservatives are shown as the blue line and fresh oil preservatives are shown as the green line. As shown in the plot of Figure 8, the mechanism of water removal affected the rate of water removal, with the rate of water removal significantly increasing when a vacuum was present.

[0103]

[0117] Finally, the volume of oil-based preservative used was kept constant at 20 liters and the initial water content was maintained at one percent (1%). A summary of the water removal tests conducted to determine the next three water removal rates is as follows:

[0104] [Table 5]

[0105]

[0118] The most effective method of water removal is an evacuated storage vessel and air sparging, as shown in the plot of Figure 9. Such water removal is applicable and can be used in one or more of the storage tank 110, the pressure tank 120, and the water separation tank 200 in the system 200.

[0106]

[0119] These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as more particularly described in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that forms of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 100 Systems 104 Drain 110 Storage Tank 112 Internal Volume 114 Mixer 120 Pressure Tank 122 Internal Volume 124 Doors 130 Heater 132 Pump 140 Drain 150 Supply Pump 152 Recovery Pump 154 Drain Pump 156 Intake Pump 158 Recirculation Pump 160 Supply Line 162 Recovery Line 164 Drain Line 166 Intake Line 168 Recirculation Line 170 Water removal system, water separation tank 200 Water Separator Tank 201 Internal Volume 204 Exit 1 206 2nd Exit 210 Bottom wall 212 Upper part 214 Bottom part 220 Side wall 222 Upper part 224 Bottom part 400 ways

Claims

1. A system for processing wood, A pressure tank designed for receiving timber for processing; A storage tank designed to contain a processing fluid, wherein the storage tank is in fluid communication with a pressure tank such that the processing fluid can flow from the storage tank to the pressure tank; A heater configured to heat the processing fluid in the pressure tank to a temperature of less than 100 degrees Celsius; and A water separator tank is fluid-communicated with a pressure tank so that a mixture of water and a treatment fluid can flow from the pressure tank to the water separator tank, the water separator tank includes a bottom wall, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the bottom wall being inclined toward the first outlet, the second outlet being positioned vertically above the first outlet, the water from the mixture of water and the treatment fluid can flow from the water separator tank through the first outlet, the treatment fluid of the mixture of water and treatment can flow from the water separator tank through the second outlet, the second outlet being fluid-communicated with a storage tank so that the treatment fluid can flow from the water separator tank to the storage tank, water separator tank A system that includes this.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is a conical or dome-shaped bottom wall, and the first outlet is located at the lowest point of the bottom wall.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a recovery line and a recovery pump, wherein the recovery line extends from the pressure tank to the water separation tank, the recovery pump is connected to the recovery line, and the recovery pump is operable to cause the mixture of the water and the treatment fluid to flow through the recovery line from the pressure tank to the water separation tank.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a supply line and a supply pump, wherein the supply line extends from the storage tank to the pressure tank, the supply pump is connected to the supply line, and the supply pump is operable to cause the processing fluid to flow through the supply line from the storage tank to the pressure tank.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a water removal system separate from the water separation tank, the water removal system being operable to remove water from the processing fluid, and the water removal system comprising one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the storage tank includes a stirrer that can be operated to agitate the processing fluid in the storage tank.

7. The volume of the water separation tank is 2,000 liters or more and 20,000 liters or less; The system according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the storage tank is 25,000 liters or more and 300,000 liters or less.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the water separation tank is a vertical water separation tank extending along the vertical direction.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a water separation tank, a sparging system designed to facilitate the separation of water and oil by passing air and / or nitrogen through the fluid in the tank.

10. A method for processing wood, A step of exposing wood to a processing fluid in a pressure tank, wherein the temperature of the processing fluid is less than 100 degrees Celsius while the wood is exposed to the processing fluid in the pressure tank; A step of exposing wood to a processing fluid, followed by a step of moving a mixture of water and the processing fluid from the pressure tank to a water separation tank, wherein the water separation tank includes a bottom wall inclined toward an outlet; and A process of moving water from the water separation tank through the outlet of the mixture of water and the treatment fluid. Methods that include...

11. The water separation tank is a vertical water separation tank that extends along the vertical direction; The method according to claim 10, wherein the bottom wall is a conical or dome-shaped bottom wall, and the outlet is located at the lowest point of the bottom wall.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising removing water from the processed fluid using a water removal system separate from the water separation tank, wherein the water removal system includes one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of stirring the processing fluid in a storage tank.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the temperature of the processing fluid is 40 degrees Celsius or higher and 95 degrees Celsius or lower while the wood is exposed to the processing fluid in the pressure tank.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the processing fluid comprises oil and a pulverized copper compound.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the particle size of the pulverized copper compound is 5 nanometers or more and 5,000 nanometers or less.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the processing fluid further comprises an organic biocide.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of separating water from the processing fluid in the water separation tank for a period of 10 minutes or more and 120 minutes or less, after the last vacuum cycle of the processing cycle, the step of transferring the mixture of water and processing fluid from the pressure tank to the water separation tank.

19. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of removing the wood from the pressure tank while the water is being separated from the processing fluid in the water separation tank.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein after the last vacuum cycle of the processing cycle, the mixture of water and processing fluid is moved from the pressure tank to the water separation tank.

21. The method according to claim 10, wherein the processing fluid substantially does not contain creosote.

22. A system for processing wood, A pressure tank designed for receiving timber for processing; A storage tank designed to contain a processing fluid, wherein the storage tank is in fluid communication with a pressure tank such that the processing fluid can flow from the storage tank to the pressure tank; A heater configured to heat the processing fluid in the pressure tank to a temperature of less than 100 degrees Celsius; and A water separator tank is fluid-communicated with a pressure tank such that a mixture of water and a treatment fluid can flow from the pressure tank to the water separator tank, the water separator tank includes a bottom wall having an outlet, the bottom wall being inclined toward the outlet, and the water from the mixture of water and a treatment fluid can flow from the water separator tank through the outlet. A system that includes this.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the bottom wall is a conical or dome-shaped bottom wall, and the outlet is located at the lowest point of the bottom wall.

24. The system according to claim 22 or 23, further comprising a recovery line and a recovery pump, wherein the recovery line extends from the pressure tank to the water separation tank, the recovery pump is connected to the recovery line, and the recovery pump is operable to cause the mixture of the water and the treatment fluid to flow through the recovery line from the pressure tank to the water separation tank.

25. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a supply line and a supply pump, wherein the supply line extends from the storage tank to the pressure tank, the supply pump is connected to the supply line, and the supply pump is operable to cause the processing fluid to flow through the supply line from the storage tank to the pressure tank.

26. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a water removal system separate from the water separation tank, the water removal system being operable to remove water from the processing fluid, and the water removal system comprising one or more of an absorber, a vacuum condenser, and a centrifuge.

27. The system according to claim 22, wherein the storage tank includes a stirrer that can be operated to agitate the processing fluid in the storage tank.

28. The volume of the water separation tank is 2,000 liters or more and 20,000 liters or less; The system according to claim 22, wherein the volume of the storage tank is 25,000 liters or more and 300,000 liters or less.

29. The system according to claim 22, wherein the water separation tank is a vertical water separation tank extending along the vertical direction.

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